Page 86 - Tourism The International Business

4. Where do tourists go?

Brazil. Brazil is the largest country in South America, the fifth largest in the world. It runs a negative balance in
its tourism account. Much less is brought in by tourism than is spent by Brazilians abroad. The United States is the
principal source of visitors, followed by Argentina and Uruguay. Brazil's historical ties with Portugal result in a

number of visitors annually from that country.
Brazil is seeking to develop tourism from a domestic base. Domestic tourism, however, is a fairly recent
phenomenon. The popularity of water spa resorts in the 1930s led to the beginnings of domestic tourism. A small
number of very rich and a growing middle class are stimulating the demand for vacations. The effort has also been
helped by the setting up in the mid-1960s of Embratur and the National Tourism Council. Both have sought to
assist in planning and financing the development of badly needed accommodation and other facilities such as
roads.

There are three major areas of tourist potential. Amazonia has exotic wildlife and huge rain forests. Trips up the
Amazon River appeal to a relatively small number of people.
The Northeast has magnificent natural resources including beaches and sunshine, wonderful churches, and
towns brimming with what in tourism is called "local charm". The region is called the "Venice of America".
The South-Central region is the heartland of the country. It is the most densely populated port, the most
economically developed, and the most urbanized. Rio de Janeiro is known worldwide for its Copacabana Beach. Sao
Paulo is the commercial center of Brazil, and its capital, Brasilia, attracts much business traffic. The mountain
resorts of the state of Rio de Janeiro serve as weekend retreats for office workers from the cities.
Other countries. Bolivia has a number of resources that have tourist potential such as archaeological and

historic sites. However, little has been done to encourage tourism and thus it is of little importance to Bolivia.
The vast majority of tourists to Chile come from Argentina. They are drawn by the spectacular scenery of the
Lake District. Portillo, in the Andes in central Chile, is the biggest center of skiing in South America. The ski season
runs from June to October although the major months for tourism are January and February. (Remember, the
seasons are reversed south of the equator.) There are a number of coastal resorts including the major port of
Valparaiso. The island of Juan Fernandez is 643 kilometers west and the setting for Robinson Crusoe. The capital of
Santiago is Chile's major tourist city.

Colombia attracts visitors from Venezuela, the United States, and, a distant third, Ecuador. Tourism is
encouraged, and there are a number of resorts as well as scenic valleys and dense jungles. The tourist season is
year-round and peaks in December.
Tourism is also encouraged in Ecuador. Tourism peaks in the summer months. The largest tourist-generating
country is the United States. Visitors are attracted by the mountains, the volcanoes and the local Indian culture.
Paraguay is known for its lakes, rivers and waterfalls. Its capital and the main city to visit is Asuncion.
The United States is the leading generator of tourists to Peru. It accounts for more than twice as many visitors as
the second-generating country, Argentina. Peru is known as the site of the lost city of the Incas at Machu Picchu.
Extensive ruins are also found in Cuzco and on the plains. The capital, Lima, offers palaces, museums, and a

colorful changing-of-the-guard ceremony.
Western Europe

Western Europe is the single most important tourism-generating and tourism-receiving region in the world.
Approximately 80 per cent of all tourism in Europe is domestic. Yet foreign travel is gaining in importance. The

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